German charter operator AirGo Flugservice and fractional ownership consultancy Fractional Jet Europe (FJE) have joined forces to offer Europe’s first Piaggio Aero P180 Avanti-based fractional ownership programme, under the brand name Route 1 Aviation.
The venture is in discussion with investors and plans to place an order for the latest version of the twin-pusher turboprop – the EVO – before the end of the month.
“We are offering a [block charter] card programme to give potential fractional customers exposure to the Avanti,” says FJE founder and chief executive Chris Moody.
AirGo’s four Avanti aircraft will continue to serve card customers, while the EVO will be used exclusively for the fractional programme. “We plan to take delivery of the first EVO early next year and will grow the fleet as demand grows,” Moody says.
The $7.4 million EVO was launched in May as an update to the Avanti II twin-pusher. The EVO incorporates a host of improvements and upgrades over its predecessor, including a revamped and quieter interior, enhanced safety features and increased performance thanks to winglets, redesigned engine nacelles, a reshaped front wing and five-blade composite scimitar propellers.
Flight testing of the EVO began in February, and the test aircraft has so far clocked up more than 100h, Piaggio says.
Certification and service entry of the seven-seat twin-pusher is scheduled for the fourth quarter.
Source: FlightGlobal.com
